Sr Graphic Designer

Carters Inc.
Full_timeAtlanta, United States

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Sr. Graphic Designer
Company: Carters Inc.
Location: Atlanta, Georgia, United States
Job Type: FULL_TIME
Category: Creative & Media / Art & Design / Marketing
Date Posted: December 11, 2025
Experience Level: Mid-Senior Level (5-7 years required, 5-10 years AI estimate)
Remote Status: Hybrid (4 days in office required)

🚀 Role Summary

  • Lead the conceptualization and development of omni-channel creative for the OshKosh brand, focusing on elevated consumer experiences across North America.
  • Drive retail creative strategy, including in-store displays, visual merchandising integration, and collateral design for a multi-brand environment.
  • Manage the design and execution of PR activations, events, showrooms, and global product packaging to enhance brand visibility and impact.
  • Support digital campaign initiatives by designing assets for website, app, email, media, SMS, and push notifications.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is a critical component of the Creative Marketing Team, with a strong emphasis on translating brand vision into tangible, impactful consumer touchpoints across both physical retail and digital platforms. The hybrid work model indicates a need for in-person collaboration and access to on-site resources, balanced with flexibility.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

  • Spearhead the creative concepting and development for all North American retail initiatives for the OshKosh brand, ensuring brand distinction within a multi-brand setting.
  • Design and oversee the production of various retail collateral, including window displays, floor sets, Point-of-Sale (POS) materials, cash wrap elements, marketing collateral, and shopping bags.
  • Source props and design 3D collateral items, collaborating with production teams to ensure feasibility and cost-effectiveness.
  • Manage the preparation and presentation of mock-ups and assets for floor set walks, lab sets, and leadership creative reviews.
  • Foster and maintain strong relationships with retail partners in Canada and Mexico to ensure consistent brand execution aligned with US campaigns and brand vision.
  • Partner with the Creative Director and Visual Merchandising teams to support the retail calendar, including walkthroughs and release dates for windows and POS marketing materials.
  • Collaborate with other creative channels and the Brand Art Director to define and refine seasonal design aesthetics and brand tone.
  • Work in tandem with Retail and e-commerce teams to ensure a cohesive design strategy across all channels.
  • Present creative concepts to VP-level stakeholders and manage the creation of final art for approved concepts before handing off to production.
  • Facilitate the handover of design files to production teams for stepping out across all required formats.
  • Ensure seamless integration and brand harmony among different brands within the retail environment by collaborating with other retail creative teams.
  • Design and lead the development of materials for PR activations, events, showrooms, and global product packaging.
  • Support digital campaign efforts by designing and executing projects for the website, app, email, media, SMS, and push notifications.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a blend of strategic creative leadership and hands-on execution, particularly in retail environments. The emphasis on multi-brand integration, international retail partnerships, and cross-channel consistency points to a need for strong project management and stakeholder communication skills within a fast-paced retail calendar.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: A 4-year bachelor's degree in Graphic Design is preferred.
Experience: 5-7 years of experience in Graphic Design, with strong foundational knowledge in design principles and production. Retail graphic design experience is considered a plus.

Required Skills:

  • Advanced proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite: InDesign, Illustrator, and Photoshop.
  • Expertise in Figma for design and collaboration.
  • Strong production skills, including the ability to create mock-ups and prepare files for print and digital output.
  • Excellent organizational skills and the ability to independently manage multiple projects from conception through to production.
  • Demonstrated ability to manage multiple projects under demanding deadlines and within defined creative parameters.
  • Proven track record of seeking opportunities to improve processes and enhance output quality.
  • Excellent presentation and verbal communication skills.
  • Ability to receive and implement creative direction effectively.
  • Keen attention to detail, strong eye for color and design.
  • Hands-on, solution-oriented approach to problem-solving.
  • Fluency in fundamentals of design and production.
  • Experience in print, packaging, and visual design.
  • Strong creative thinking and project management capabilities.
  • Leadership potential and experience.

Preferred Skills:

  • Prior experience in retail graphic design.
  • Experience working within a multi-brand retail environment.

📝 Enhancement Note: The required skills emphasize a robust technical toolkit coupled with essential soft skills like organization, communication, and problem-solving. The preference for retail design experience and specific software like Figma suggests the company values candidates who can quickly adapt to their specific workflow and industry demands.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

  • Showcase a range of projects demonstrating advanced graphic design skills across print, digital, and potentially 3D collateral.
  • Include case studies or examples of retail creative development, highlighting concepting, design execution, and final asset creation for in-store displays, POS, and marketing materials.
  • Feature projects that illustrate experience with production file preparation and handoff for various formats.
  • Present examples of work that demonstrate an understanding of brand consistency, especially within a multi-brand environment.
  • Include visuals of PR activations, event collateral, or packaging design if available, to showcase broader creative application.

Process Documentation:

  • Highlight experience in managing projects from initial brief through to final production, demonstrating an understanding of workflow stages and timelines.
  • Showcase examples of problem-solving within creative constraints, such as adapting designs for different markets (e.g., Canada & Mexico) or ensuring feasibility with production teams.
  • Illustrate how you have contributed to process improvements or enhanced output quality in previous roles.

📝 Enhancement Note: Candidates are expected to provide a portfolio that not only displays creative talent but also substantiates their ability to manage complex projects, adhere to brand guidelines, and collaborate effectively with production and cross-functional teams. Demonstrating a clear understanding of the retail design lifecycle and production readiness is crucial.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: Based on industry benchmarks for a Sr. Graphic Designer with 5-7 years of experience in a major metropolitan area like Atlanta, Georgia, the estimated salary range is $75,000 - $95,000 annually. This estimate considers the required experience, advanced software proficiency, and the hybrid work model, which often commands a slightly higher compensation.

Benefits:

  • Career Development Programs: Access to Carter's University, Toastmasters, and mentorship programs to support professional growth and skill enhancement.
  • Comprehensive Health Coverage: Likely includes medical, dental, and vision insurance plans.
  • Retirement Savings Plan: Opportunities for 401(k) matching or other retirement savings vehicles.
  • Paid Time Off: Generous vacation, sick leave, and holiday pay.
  • Employee Discount: Potential for discounts on Carter's, OshKosh B'gosh, Skip*Hop, and Little Planet products.
  • Hybrid Work Flexibility: Ability to work from home 1 day per week, promoting work-life balance.

Working Hours: The role is for a full-time position, typically requiring 40 hours per week. While specific daily schedules may vary, the hybrid model implies a structured on-site presence of 4 days per week, with the remaining day offering remote flexibility.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range is an estimate based on typical compensation for similar roles in the Atlanta market, considering the specified experience level and the hybrid work arrangement. Benefits are inferred based on standard offerings for large retail organizations and career development opportunities mentioned in the job description.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Apparel Retail for Babies and Young Children. Carter's Inc. is the largest North American apparel retailer in this segment, encompassing well-known brands like Carter's, OshKosh B'gosh, Skip*Hop, and Little Planet.
Company Size: Carter's Inc. is a large, established company, indicated by its presence on a corporate workday job portal and its multi-brand portfolio. This implies a structured environment with established processes and opportunities for career advancement.
Founded: Founded in 1865, Carter's has a long-standing history in the children's apparel market, suggesting a stable, experienced, and reputable organization with deep roots in the industry.

Team Structure:

  • The Sr. Graphic Designer will be part of the Creative Marketing Team for the OshKosh brand.
  • This role reports to the Creative Director, Oshkosh.
  • Collaboration is expected with Visual Merchandising, Retail Operations (Canada & Mexico), PR & Comms, Brand Art Director, Production teams, and other Creative teams (for brand integration).

Methodology:

  • Data-Driven Creativity: While not explicitly stated as a primary methodology, the emphasis on "elevated consumer experiences" and working "in tandem in Retail and eComm" suggests a need to align creative output with business objectives and consumer insights.
  • Process Optimization: The job description explicitly mentions "seek ways to improve processes and quality of output within functional areas," indicating a culture that values efficiency and continuous improvement.
  • Collaborative Execution: The role requires close partnership across various departments and international teams to ensure consistent brand vision and execution.

Company Website: https://www.carters.com/

📝 Enhancement Note: Carter's Inc. operates in a competitive children's apparel market, emphasizing brand heritage and a broad reach. The company culture appears to value innovation, inclusion, and professional development, with a structured approach to creative execution that requires strong cross-functional collaboration and adherence to brand standards across multiple channels and geographies.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This is a "Sr." level position, indicating a mid-to-senior career stage. It requires significant experience (5-7 years) and the ability to lead projects, manage multiple stakeholders, and contribute strategically to creative campaigns. The role demands not just execution but also concept development and problem-solving.

Reporting Structure: The Sr. Graphic Designer reports directly to the Creative Director for the OshKosh brand. This implies a clear line of guidance and mentorship, with opportunities to learn from senior leadership in creative strategy and brand management. The role also involves significant collaboration with various departments, providing exposure to different facets of the business.

Operations Impact: The Sr. Graphic Designer's work directly influences the consumer's perception of the OshKosh brand through visual storytelling across all touchpoints – from in-store displays and packaging to digital media and PR events. Their creative output is crucial for driving brand awareness, customer engagement, and ultimately, sales performance within the retail and e-commerce channels.

Growth Opportunities:

  • Skill Specialization: Opportunity to deepen expertise in areas like retail visual design, omni-channel campaign execution, and international brand adaptation.
  • Leadership Development: Potential to grow into a Creative Lead or Art Director role, managing smaller teams or specific creative initiatives.
  • Cross-Functional Exposure: Gain valuable experience working with merchandising, marketing, production, and international teams, broadening understanding of the apparel retail business.
  • Formal Training: Access to Carter's University, Toastmasters, and mentorship programs provides structured avenues for skill enhancement and career progression.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role offers a clear path for career advancement within a large, established retail organization. The emphasis on leadership, project management, and cross-functional collaboration positions the candidate for future growth into more senior creative or management roles within the company or the broader retail industry.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: The role is based at their Buckhead office, implying a corporate office environment. The hybrid model (4 days in office) suggests a standard corporate setup with dedicated workspaces, meeting rooms, and collaborative areas.
Office Location(s): Buckhead Office, Atlanta, Georgia. This is a well-known business district in Atlanta, likely offering good accessibility and a professional urban setting.

Workspace Context:

  • Collaborative Hub: The 4-day in-office requirement facilitates in-person collaboration, team meetings, brainstorming sessions, and direct interaction with colleagues across different departments.
  • Creative Resources: Access to necessary design software, hardware, and potentially a creative studio or resource library for props and materials.
  • Team Interaction: Opportunities to work closely with the Creative Director, design team, visual merchandising, and marketing colleagues, fostering a dynamic and interactive work environment.

Work Schedule: The position is full-time (40 hours/week) with a hybrid arrangement. This allows for focused work at home on one day per week, while the other four days are dedicated to on-site collaboration and leveraging office resources. This structure supports efficient project management and creative workflow.

📝 Enhancement Note: The hybrid work environment in a corporate office setting is designed to balance focused individual work with essential in-person team collaboration, crucial for creative roles that require concept development, feedback, and alignment across various stakeholders.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

  • Initial Screening: A review of your resume and portfolio to assess technical skills, experience, and creative aesthetic.
  • Portfolio Presentation: Candidates will likely be asked to present their portfolio, showcasing key projects that demonstrate their ability to handle retail creative, omni-channel campaigns, and production readiness. Be prepared to walk through your design process, creative rationale, and problem-solving approaches.
  • Skills Assessment: A potential hands-on design challenge or a discussion about specific software capabilities (InDesign, Illustrator, Photoshop, Figma) and production knowledge.
  • Behavioral & Situational Interviews: Questions will assess collaboration skills, project management capabilities, ability to meet deadlines, attention to detail, and how you handle creative direction and feedback.
  • Cultural Fit: Interviews will evaluate alignment with Carter's core values, team dynamics, and ability to work within a structured corporate environment.

Portfolio Review Tips:

  • Curate Strategically: Select 5-7 of your strongest, most relevant projects. Prioritize retail, multi-channel campaign, and production-focused work.
  • Showcase Process: For each project, detail your role, the objective, your creative process (sketches, mood boards, iterations), challenges faced, solutions implemented, and the final outcome.
  • Quantify Impact: If possible, include metrics or qualitative feedback that demonstrate the success of your designs (e.g., increased engagement, successful campaign execution).
  • Highlight Technical Proficiency: Ensure your portfolio clearly demonstrates advanced skills in InDesign, Illustrator, Photoshop, and Figma. Include examples of production-ready files or complex layouts.
  • Tailor to OshKosh: Research the OshKosh brand aesthetic and current campaigns. Present work that aligns with or demonstrates an understanding of their target audience and brand voice.

Challenge Preparation:

  • Design Exercise: Be prepared for a design task that might involve creating a concept for a retail display, a digital ad, or a piece of marketing collateral, requiring you to apply your skills under time constraints.
  • Problem-Solving Scenarios: Anticipate questions about how you would handle competing priorities, tight deadlines, or difficult feedback from stakeholders.
  • Process Improvement: Think about examples where you identified and implemented improvements in design workflows or production processes.

📝 Enhancement Note: The application process emphasizes a robust demonstration of creative skill, technical proficiency, and project management capabilities. A well-curated portfolio that showcases relevant experience and the ability to articulate your design process is paramount for success.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

  • Adobe Creative Suite: Advanced proficiency required in InDesign, Illustrator, and Photoshop for all graphic design and production tasks.
  • Figma: Essential for design, prototyping, and collaborative workflows.
  • Microsoft Office Suite: Standard use for documentation, presentations, and communication (Word, PowerPoint, Excel).

Analytics & Reporting:

  • While not explicitly listed as required tools for this role, an understanding of how design impacts key metrics (e.g., website engagement, campaign performance) is beneficial. Familiarity with analytics platforms like Google Analytics or Adobe Analytics could be an advantage for understanding digital campaign performance.

CRM & Automation:

  • Not directly applicable to this design role, but an awareness of how CRM data might inform marketing campaign creative and how automation tools streamline campaign deployment would be valuable context.

📝 Enhancement Note: The core technical requirements center around advanced design software. Proficiency in InDesign, Illustrator, Photoshop, and Figma is non-negotiable. Experience with production file preparation is also a critical component of the technology stack for this role.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

  • Inclusion & Innovation: Carter's Inc. explicitly mentions these core values, suggesting an environment that welcomes diverse perspectives and encourages new ideas. For a designer, this means contributing fresh concepts and being open to varied approaches.
  • Meaningful Work: The company aims to make a difference in the lives of families. Designers can find meaning by contributing to brands that resonate with consumers and enhance their experiences.
  • Genuine People & Constant Learning: This points to a culture of authenticity, teamwork, and a commitment to professional development. Expect a supportive environment where continuous skill enhancement is encouraged.
  • Efficiency & Quality: The emphasis on "seek ways to improve processes and quality of output" highlights a drive for operational excellence and high-quality creative deliverables.

Collaboration Style:

  • Cross-Functional Integration: The role demands close collaboration with Visual Merchandising, Marketing, Production, PR, and international retail partners. This suggests a team that values open communication and shared responsibility for campaign success.
  • Feedback-Oriented: Working with a Creative Director and presenting to VPs implies a culture where creative work is reviewed and refined through constructive feedback.
  • Brand Alignment: A key aspect of collaboration will be ensuring all creative outputs for OshKosh (and its integration with other Carter's brands) are consistent in tone, manner, and visual identity.

📝 Enhancement Note: The company culture at Carter's Inc. appears to be a blend of established corporate structure with a forward-thinking approach to innovation and inclusion. For a Sr. Graphic Designer, this means being a strong team player, adept at receiving and giving feedback, and consistently delivering high-quality, on-brand creative work that aligns with business objectives.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

  • Balancing Multiple Brands: Working within a multi-brand environment requires the ability to differentiate brand aesthetics while maintaining overall company coherence.
  • International Adaptation: Adapting creative concepts for Canada and Mexico markets involves understanding cultural nuances and potentially different retail standards.
  • Fast-Paced Retail Calendar: Meeting demanding deadlines for seasonal campaigns, floor sets, and promotional materials requires excellent time management and prioritization skills.
  • 3D and Prop Sourcing: Integrating physical elements like props into designs adds complexity and requires coordination with production and sourcing teams.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

  • Advanced Design Techniques: Opportunities to master new features in Adobe Creative Suite or Figma, or explore emerging design trends relevant to retail and apparel.
  • Omni-Channel Strategy: Gaining deeper insights into how creative assets function across different channels (print, digital, experiential) and how to optimize them for each.
  • Cross-Functional Expertise: Developing a comprehensive understanding of retail operations, visual merchandising, and marketing strategies through close collaboration.
  • Leadership Skills: Mentorship and potential for leading smaller projects or initiatives, preparing for future leadership roles.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role presents opportunities to tackle complex creative challenges within a large retail organization, fostering significant professional growth. The ability to adapt, problem-solve, and collaborate effectively will be key to navigating these challenges and capitalizing on development opportunities.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

  • "Describe a time you had to adapt a creative concept for a different market or audience. How did you approach it, and what was the outcome?" (Assesses international adaptation and problem-solving.)
  • "Walk me through your process for developing retail creative concepts, from initial brief to final production handoff. What are the key checkpoints?" (Evaluates project management, process understanding, and execution.)
  • "How do you ensure brand consistency across multiple channels (print, digital, in-store) for a brand like OshKosh?" (Tests understanding of brand integrity and omni-channel strategy.)
  • "Tell me about a time you received challenging creative feedback. How did you handle it, and what was the result?" (Assesses ability to take direction and collaborate constructively.)

Company & Culture Questions:

  • "What interests you about Carter's Inc. and the OshKosh brand specifically?" (Demonstrates research and genuine interest.)
  • "How do you see your skills contributing to our goals of 'inclusion and innovation'?" (Connects your abilities to company values.)
  • "Describe your ideal collaborative environment. How do you work with cross-functional teams?" (Assesses fit with the team's collaborative style.)

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

  • Structure Your Narrative: For each project, clearly define the problem, your role, your creative solution, and the results. Use a consistent framework.
  • Highlight Retail & Production: Emphasize projects that showcase retail collateral, in-store displays, or production file preparation. Explain the technical considerations and challenges.
  • Demonstrate Software Proficiency: Briefly explain how you used specific tools like InDesign, Illustrator, Photoshop, and Figma to achieve your design goals. Show examples of complex layouts or file structures.
  • Prepare for Q&A: Anticipate questions about your design choices, your process, and how you handle feedback. Be ready to discuss your contributions in team projects.

📝 Enhancement Note: Thorough preparation involving researching Carter's and OshKosh, understanding the core responsibilities, and preparing compelling examples from your portfolio will be critical. Focus on demonstrating not just creative talent but also your ability to execute within a structured, deadline-driven retail environment.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Sr. Graphic Designer position:

  • Submit your application through the provided Workday link: https://carters.wd1.myworkdayjobs.com/CartersCareers/job/Atlanta-GA/Sr-Graphic-Designer_JR52430
  • Tailor Your Resume: Highlight your 5-7+ years of graphic design experience, specifically mentioning retail, multi-channel campaigns, and proficiency in InDesign, Illustrator, Photoshop, and Figma. Use keywords from the job description.
  • Curate Your Portfolio: Select your strongest work, focusing on retail creative, print collateral, digital assets, and any examples of production file preparation. Ensure it clearly demonstrates your advanced software skills and creative process.
  • Research Carter's & OshKosh: Understand their brand identities, target audience, and recent marketing campaigns. Be prepared to discuss how your design philosophy aligns with their values and aesthetic.
  • Prepare for a Portfolio Review: Practice presenting your portfolio, articulating your design choices, and explaining your process for retail-specific projects and production workflows.

⚠️ Important Notice: This enhanced job description includes AI-generated insights and operations industry-standard assumptions. All details should be verified directly with the hiring organization before making application decisions.


Application Requirements

Candidates must have 5-7 years of experience in graphic design and advanced knowledge of design software such as InDesign, Illustrator, and Photoshop. Strong organizational skills and the ability to manage multiple projects while meeting deadlines are essential.